AI Damage2016 GMC Canyon: common problems
Owners of the 2016 GMC Canyon filed 271 complaints with NHTSA, most often about steering and powertrain. The maker issued 1,110 service bulletins for this year. We found 2 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 271
- involving a crash
- 8
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 1,110
- YouTube repair videos
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Steering 67% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 14% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 14% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 8% of all complaints
- 5 Electronic stability control 5% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 4% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel/propulsion system 4% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 3% of all complaints
- Steering: 181 complaints (67% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 28.
- Powertrain: 39 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 101.
- Electrical system: 38 complaints (14% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 218.
- Engine: 22 complaints (8% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 115.
- Electronic stability control: 13 complaints (5% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 2.8 L · diesel · turbo · 4 cylnamed in 5 complaints
- automatic, 6-speed
- manual, 6-speednamed in 1 complaints
Drive: RWD, 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 271 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 181 | 4 | 28 |
| Powertrain | 39 | 0 | 101 |
| Electrical system | 38 | 2 | 218 |
| Engine | 22 | 2 | 115 |
| Electronic stability control | 13 | 0 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 11 | 0 | 3 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 10 | 0 | 5 |
| Service brakes | 9 | 0 | 26 |
| Air bags | 6 | 3 | 6 |
| Suspension | 4 | 0 | 35 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 50 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 47 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 17 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 8 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
I have a power steering failure.I also have a fuel problem while pumping gas, the truck doesn’t want to start.
On September 14, 2021, my 2016 GMC Canyon struck another vehicle from behind going approximately 55 MPH and the airbags did not deploy. Every mechanic and insurance adjuster has stated that the airbags should have deployed in this collision.
My vehicle has a gasoline engine; nonetheless the condition was described in the bulletin (tsb 16-na-276) as: "some customers may comment on a shudder at low speeds, an idle surge when stopped or approaching a stop." this idle surge describes exactly what happened to my vehicle as I was attempting to slow down and…
I was approximately 90% through a slight right turn when the electronic power steering went out causing the vehicle to leave the road, continue down a ditch hitting a concrete drive, concrete mail box and a power pole. The vehicle was totaled and I had soft tissue bruising, cuts and abrasions.
Faulty electric power steering caused vehicle veer off the rode hitting a concrete wall, concrete mail box and telephone. Vehicle was totaled. The vehicle was north bound a two black top road at a slight right hand turn.
The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the infotainment system and screen display became inoperable. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and it was determined that an unknown part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.
The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the vacuum pump and brake booster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure.
Transmission has been shuddering since 15,000 miles till now. Dealerships says it's normal on these transmissions, 6 fluid and filter changes and now at 72,000 miles the transmission is failing just outside of warranty.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 230 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 11% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Canyon has 67 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 271, above average.
What to check before buying
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- This PI provides diagnostic tips for diagnosing electric trailer brakes issues
- This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size…
- This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a…
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- This service bulletin provides information on Tire Sidewall Irregularities
- This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced…
This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have…
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions…
- The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle…
The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal for the delay.
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about fluid leaking from…
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about fluid leaking from the brake caliper piston area found during a service of the vehicle. The substance is actually excess assembly…
- New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
NHTSA lists 1,110 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 GMC Canyon?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: steering, powertrain, electrical system. Total complaints: 271. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: steering or power steering problems (61%), warning lights, check engine (23%), loss of power / limp mode (17%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 GMC Canyon?
NHTSA lists 1,110 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 GMC Canyon from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.